Plans underway to reopen closed motel

Plans are underway to reopen the former Americ Inn in Elk River, which closed about a year ago.
The Elk River City Council approved a new conditional use permit for the motel on April 18. The old permit expired after the motel had been closed for six months. Elk River Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart said conditional use permits expire after six months of no activity.
John Seibert of Ramsey told the council he had operated the motel since 2004 but the economy and so forth made it difficult to continue to operate and he had to close it.
“We are hopeful that we can make this property work as a hotel once again,” he said.
The motel is located along east Highway 10 at 17432 Yale St.
Seibert had expressed some concern about a condition requiring him to provide a trail easement for a future recreational trail in the area as one of the permit conditions. The council left the requirement in, but modified the language.